From a packed lunch box full of school trip memories to vital global conservation work, Chester Zoo holds a special place in the hearts of Cheshire residents. 

Now, a campaign to have the Zoo recognised as the first National Zoo has been launched by Dan Price, the Labour and Co-operative candidate for mayor of Cheshire & Warrington.

Chester Zoo is the most visited zoo in the country, with more than two million visitors per year - nearly twice the number of London Zoo. It is also the UK’s most visited paid-for attraction outside of London. 

It carries out vital conservation work across the UK and in 20 countries around the world, and engages hundreds of thousands of learners every year through its education programmes.

The recognition would not require additional government funding and would formalise a role it already plays.

Recognition of Chester Zoo as the UK's National Zoo could help drive forward the government's mission to deliver good growth in every postcode by supporting the visitor economy of Chester and the wider region.

Dan Price, Labour candidate for Mayor of Cheshire and Warrington, said: 

"Almost everyone in the North West has a memory of visiting Chester Zoo. It's a much-loved place, and it's doing conservation work that reaches around the world. 

"We've got a National Gallery and a National Theatre, but no national zoo. I want to change that. Recognising Chester Zoo would back a world-class organisation right here in Cheshire, and show that Britain is leading the way on conservation.

“I’m calling on everyone, all over the county to get behind this campaign. Chester Zoo is an organisation that is part of our county’s family, so let’s make sure it gets the recognition it deserves.”

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In May, we lost our good friend, Lee, to suicide.

Lee’s loss has left an unbearable hole in all our lives. He was a massive part of who we are, and those who knew him knew two things for sure: how much he meant to his friends and family, and his total passion for football—specifically Wolverhampton Wanderers and Macclesfield FC.

To honor Lee’s memory and do something positive in the wake of such a tragedy, a group of us are taking on a challenge that ties his two footballing loves together.

On Friday, 25th September, we will set off on a charity walk from Molineux Stadium in Wolverhampton, marching all the way to Macclesfield FC’s Leasing.com Stadium. We’ll be trekking over 60 miles across two days, pushing through the distance to arrive in Macclesfield right in time for kickoff against Harborough Town on Saturday afternoon.

We are raising money for Andy’s Man Club, an incredible men’s mental health charity.

Andy’s Man Club runs free, warm, judgment-free peer-to-peer support groups across the UK. Their goal is simple but crucial: to break the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and give men a safe space to talk about what they are going through. Statistically, suicide is the biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK. By raising funds for Andy’s Man Club, we want to help ensure that any man going through a dark time knows he is never alone and that there is always support available.

Every single penny raised will go directly to helping Andy’s Man Club keep their doors open and start new groups across the country.

Andy spoke to  Rosemary.

Our live music line up and supported charities have just been announced, and early bird tickets are now available

ANDY TALKS TO THE TEAM BEHIND THE BEER FESTIVAL

And Andy from Silk Breakfast had a chat with him.

Listen again to Andy On SilkBreakfast talk to Susan Munroe about the Elizabeth Wolstenholme Elmy statue in Congleton